ANTICIPATION

ANTICIPATION!

Luke 2:25-26

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 

Matt 2:10-11

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

           This time of the year, some people use what is called an Advent Calendar to mark the days leading up to Christmas Day. It helps parents answer when their children ask them “how many more days?” Christmas is a time of excited waiting but in both our Scriptures above indicate much more than waiting. Both Simeon and the wise men were anticipating!

           The Greek word for “waiting,” used in Luke 2:25 is prosdechomai which means “to wait with confidence or patience.” Simeon had been assured in his spirit that he would not die until he had seen Messiah. Tradition tells us that Simeon was 113 years old. If that is so, he had been waiting with confidence and patience for a very long time! When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into the temple for circumcision and dedication, Simeon knew immediately that his waiting was over.

           When the wise men finally found Jesus “they opened their treasures” and retrieved gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Merriam-Webster tells us that to “anticipate” means “to foresee and provide for beforehand.” They started their journey expecting to find the king and they provided beforehand what they would bring. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy!”

           Today we wait! We wait for Christmas Day with confidence and patience. Christmas will come! We wait for the return of Christ to take us home. We anticipate! We have foreseen this event and have prepared ourselves beforehand. When we see him coming in the clouds of glory we will rejoice with exceeding great joy!

Dear Lord, today we wait but we wait with confidence and anticipation. AMEN